Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: I-405 SEPULVEDA PASS (PHASE 1) EXPRESSLANES PROJECT APPROVAL/ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT, CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS, AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT AWARD
Action:
ACTION: AWARD CONTRACT
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer to award and execute a 36-month, firm fixed price Contract No. AE61156000 to WSP USA, Inc. in the amount of $27,494,005.21 for Architectural and Engineering services to produce the I-405 Phase 1 Sepulveda Pass ExpressLanes Project Approval/Environmental Document, the Concept of Operations report and 30% design, subject to resolution of protest(s), if any.
Issue
ISSUE
The Metro Board previously directed the Congestion Reduction department to initiate planning studies for the conversion of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes into High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes for those projects within Tier 1 of the ExpressLanes Strategic Plan, adopted in January 2017. Interstate 405 (I-405) between I-10 and US-101 (I-405 Phase 1 Sepulveda Pass) ExpressLanes is among the Tier 1 projects slated for near term implementation.
To continue the planning efforts required for I-405 Sepulveda Pass Phase 1 ExpressLanes, professional services are required to support the development of the Project Approval/Environmental Document (PA/ED), Concept of Operations and Preliminary Design. During the PA/ED phase, more detailed studies including traffic analysis and an environmental assessment will be conducted to further refine the information in the PSR-PDS and develop the Project Report and Environmental Document.
Background
BACKGROUND
In November 2014, the Board directed the preparation a Countywide ExpressLanes Strategic Plan (the Plan) based on the previous success of the I-110 and I-10 ExpressLanes. In January 2017, the Board approved the Plan which screened, organized, and ranked possible ExpressLanes projects in Los Angeles County into three tiers based on time horizon (Tier 1 within 5-10 years, Tier 2 within 15 years, and Tier 3 within 25 years). This project was prioritized as a Tier 1 near-term project. Simultaneously, the Board directed staff to initiate planning studies for the Tier 1 projects listed in the Strategic Plan.
As an initial step, a PSR/PDS for projects in the Tier 1 Network, inclusive of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass ExpressLanes, is underway with an anticipated completion in late 2019/early 2020. The Interstate 405 Sepulveda Pass ExpressLanes has $260 million in Measure M dedicated funding and is included in the Twenty-Eight by ’28 Initiative.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The next phase in the planning process for the I-405 Sepulveda Pass is the Project Approval & Environmental Document (PA/ED). The PA/ED consists of two components, the Project Report (PR) and Environmental Document (ED). The PR will prepare preliminary engineering of the studied alternatives at a level of detail such that the potential impacts of those alternatives can be identified. It includes a traffic report, surveys, mapping, geometric plans, and cost estimates and will identify right of way and utilities needs/impacts. The ED will include the necessary reports/analysis required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including air quality, noise, hazardous waste, biological, and cultural resource studies.
Additionally, this procurement will develop a Concept of Operations report which will describe and document operating policies, facility design, and tolling infrastructure for the project. This effort will also include 30% level design development for the project.
Caltrans will provide review and oversight on the Environmental Document through a Cooperative Agreement currently under development. An Investment Grade Traffic & Revenue Study and an Outreach Contractor will also be procured as a part of the I-405 planning process through separate procurements not undertaken here.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Strategic Goal 1: Provide high quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. ExpressLanes provides drivers with the option of a more reliable trip while improving the overall operational efficiency of the freeway network.
Financial Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $2 million needed to conduct this work are available in the FY20 budget in cost center 2220. Because this is a multi-year program, the cost center manager and the Executive Officer, Congestion Reduction programs, will be responsible for budgeting for future years.
Impact to Budget
Funds for this action will come from dedicated Measure M funding. No other funds were considered for this activity.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could choose not to award this contract. This is not recommended as it would delay the PA/ED phase and jeopardize the overall project completion schedule as necessitated by inclusion in Twenty-Eight by ’28 Initiative. Additionally, this alternative is not recommended since the I-405 Sepulveda Pass (Phase 1) Project is a Metro ExpressLanes Strategic Plan Tier 1 prioritized project with Measure M dedicated funding ($260 million).
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute the contract with WSP USA, Inc., and will initiate, carry-out and complete the scope of work for the project.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Procurement Summary
Attachment B - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Alice Tolar, Sr. Manager, Transportation Planning, Congestion Reduction, 213.418.3334
Mark Linsenmayer, Deputy Executive Officer, Congestion Reduction,
213.922.5569
Reviewed_by
Reviewed by: Shahrzad Amiri, Executive Officer, Congestion Reduction, 213.922.3061
Debra Avila, Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer, 213.418.3051
